Maximum practical grade in N scale?

[Anonymous]

I'm starting a new N scale layout after switching from HO. Most of my grades are around 2 percent but I have one that is 4 percent and one that is 5 percent. Can anyone tell me if I am asking for trouble with 4 to 5 percent grades on the main line?

[Anonymous]

Stewart,

The answer to this question is independent of scale:
It will vary with your specific engines, rolling stock, the amount you weight your cars and the relative friction in your trucks but as a guide you could use the information in John Armstrong's book, Track Planning for Realistic Operation. In his book he provides a graph indicating that with average trucks you will pull about 24% the tonnage on 4% grade you will over level track and 18% the tonnage on 5% grade. Free rolling trucks pay an even bigger price.

To put this in perspective (I run HO Scale) ...
An engine that pulls 24 cars on level track will pull about six cars on a 4% grade and five cars on a 5% grade. If you are fond of double and triple heading your trains and/or you don't use caboose then you may be happy with the results.

I wouldn't go with a grade this steep in plain view unless I was dilibrately constructing a helper service grade. If operations of this kind appeal to you then you can have a lot of fun. You could construct a siding at the summit and double the hill or provide a helper with sidings at each end. You can also indicate the entrance to the hill with permissive signals to prevent heavy freights from stalling on the hill. This is discussed in Mr. Armstrong's book (cited above) and in Bruce Chub's book, How to Operate your Model Railroad. I recommend both books if you don't have them already.

Good Luck. - Ed

[Anonymous]

don't go over 90 degrees ! otherwise your trains simply fall off the track. :-)))

I try keep my grades below 3%. It's no problem to have a 4 or 5% grade. Just try to keep this part of your track as short as possible (less than 40% of normal train length). I have a curve (12" radius) with a 5% grade which caused lots of derailment until I superelevated the curve. Now I can run 50+ car trains without any problems. But I need at least 3 locos in front.

[Anonymous]

My layout has a ruling grade of 2.5% and I have no problems. I pack a lot of power and limit the length of my trains to 1 car per drive axle. I can go higher but I get the flavor I like with the shorter trains.

[Anonymous]

Hi Stewart,
My advice would be to keep it at no more than 3%.My own railroad is HO and a logging layout, but as I onle use 6 log cars at a time, I can get away with 5 & 8% grades using shay loco's.
I was into N-scale a number of years ago and used 3% to climb up and over some tracks, one loco and 30 freight plus caboose, no problems..
Have fun friend.

shamus